Beer bread is a quick and easy yeast bread that requires only a handful of ingredients – typically some type of flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and of course, beer. The bread has a wonderful flavor from the beer and a light, moist texture. It’s a great accompaniment to soups, stews, and chili. But what are some tasty topping options to really make your beer bread shine?
Savory Toppings for Beer Bread
Here are some savory topping ideas to consider for your next loaf of beer bread:
- Soft butter or herb butter
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Pesto
- Tapenade
- Roasted garlic
- Caramelized onions
- Bacon
- Ham
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Smoked gouda cheese
- Goat cheese
- Blue cheese
- Avocado
- Sliced tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Chopped chives
- Minced rosemary
- Dijon mustard
- Horseradish sauce
- Hummus
- Barbecue sauce
- Salsa
- Caramelized onions
- Sauteed mushrooms
Many of these savory toppings pair wonderfully with the flavor of the beer-infused bread. The possibilities are endless depending on your tastes. Experiment with different cheese varieties, herbs, cured meats, vegetables, and condiments to find your perfect combination.
Sweet Toppings for Beer Bread
While beer bread is often thought of in savory applications, the bread can also be delightful with sweet toppings for a dessert or breakfast treat. Consider spreading your warm beer bread with any of the following:
- Butter and honey or fruit preserves
- Cream cheese frosting
- Lemon curd
- Chocolate-hazelnut spread
- Mascarpone and jam
- Ricotta cheese and fresh fruit
- Nutella
- Peanut or almond butter
- Vanilla yogurt and granola
- Cinnamon sugar
- Maple butter
- Berries
- Sliced bananas
- Dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots
- Pecans or walnuts
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream
The mildly sweet flavor of beer bread makes it the perfect canvas for creating a sweet treat. Warm from the oven and slathered with butter and honey, it can be a delicious breakfast bread. Or add a schmear of chocolate-hazelnut spread for a midday snack. Get creative with your favorite sweet toppings to turn beer bread into a decadent dessert.
Savory Beer Bread Recipes to Try
If you’re looking for some recipe inspiration for delicious savory topped beer breads, consider the following ideas:
Beer Bread with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan
Roast a head of garlic to blend into the dough or brush on top of the loaf. Sprinkle shredded parmesan over the top just before baking or once cooled for an easy yet gourmet tasting bread.
Beer Bread with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Cook down sliced onions in a skillet until deeply golden brown and caramelized. Crumble and cook bacon until crispy. Brush bread with olive oil or butter after baking and top with the caramelized onions and crumbled bacon pieces.
Beer Bread with Goat Cheese and Basil
Stir some crumbled goat cheese into the dough before baking for pockets of richness. Top the freshly baked loaf with torn fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Beer Bread with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Fold chunks of blue cheese into the dough. Top baked bread with toasted walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
Beer Bread with Salami and Mozzarella
Layer thin slices of salami and fresh mozzarella on top of the loaf just before baking. The cheese will melt deliciously over the bread.
Sweet Beer Bread Recipes
And for a touch of sweetness, here are some delightful sweet topped beer bread recipes to try:
Beer Bread with Pecans and Cranberries
Fold in chopped pecans and dried cranberries before baking. Spread warm bread with softened butter.
Beer Bread with Nutella
Generously spread slices of warm beer bread with Nutella for an instant dessert.
Beer Bread with Ricotta and Berries
Top slices of cooled beer bread with part-skim ricotta cheese, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey.
Beer Bread French Toast
Slice up day-old beer bread and dip into an egg custard mixture. Fry slices in butter until golden brown and top with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fruit compote.
Beer Bread Bread Pudding
Cube leftover bread and add to a bread pudding recipe along with milk, eggs, vanilla, raisins, and spices. The beer flavor adds richness to the classic dessert.
Tips for Making the Best Beer Bread
To achieve the perfect beer bread topped with your favorite savory or sweet mix-ins, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a bold, flavorful beer like an amber ale or stout to impart the most flavor.
- Allow the dough to rise sufficiently to develop an airy, tender crumb.
- Bake the bread until the internal temperature reaches 205-210°F for the best texture.
- Brush bread with butter straight out of the oven if adding toppings to help them stick.
- Get creative with mix-ins added straight to the dough or sprinkled on top of the baked loaf!
With a basic beer bread recipe and an assortment of fun toppings, you can create a different bread masterpiece every time. Beer bread also makes wonderful gifts for the bread lovers in your life. Simply wrap up a loaf with a bow along with a small jar of flavored butter or other topping so the recipient can customize their experience.
The History of Beer Bread
While beer bread has recently become trendy, its origins can be traced back centuries in Ireland. The Irish have long been brewing beer and baking bread, so it was natural for some enterprising bakers to think to combine the two.
Using the carbonation from beer gives the bread lift without requiring time-consuming yeast proofs. The alcohol cooks off in the oven, leaving behind just a pleasing, yeasty flavor. The oldest printed beer bread recipe hails from a 1944 Irish cookbook, though it’s surely been made for much longer in cottage kitchens.
When Irish immigrants came to America, they likely brought the concept of quick and easy beer bread with them. Regional variations started popping up throughout the U.S., especially in the Midwest where German beers were prevalent. The recipe gained mainstream popularity in the 1970s when Wheat Berry Wheat Bread made with beer was featured in major newspapers and magazines.
Since then, beer bread has become a beloved recipe to make for potlucks, parties, and picnics. It’s handy for even novice bakers thanks to its speed and simplicity. Just a few standard pantry ingredients plus a bottle of brew are all it takes to create the warm, comforting loaves.
Beer Bread Pros and Cons
Beer bread offers some nice perks, but there are also a few downsides to consider:
Pros:
- Very fast and easy to make – no yeast or long rise time
- Minimal ingredients usually on hand
- Fluffy, moist texture from the beer
- More flavor than plain bread
- Fun way to use up leftover beer
- Endlessly adaptable with mix-ins
- Makes house smell amazing while baking
Cons:
- Doesn’t keep as well as yeasted breads
- Can have a dense, heavy crumb if overmixed
- Difficult to form into specific shapes
- Requires cautiously pouring hot liquid into bread pan
- May come out gummy if underbaked
- If using self-rising flour, salty taste may be strong
Overall, the ease and flavor of beer bread outweigh the negatives for most bakers. Just be sure to handle the dough gently, avoid overbaking, and enjoy the bread soon after it cools for best results. Properly stored leftovers can be revived in the oven or toaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of beer is best for beer bread?
Choose a medium to full-bodied beer with robust flavor. Ambers, porters, stouts, or wheat beers are excellent choices. Avoid light beers as they tend to make bland bread.
Can I use gluten-free beer to make gluten-free beer bread?
Yes, you can substitute any gluten-free beer in a trusted gluten-free beer bread recipe. Be sure to use gluten-free flour as well.
Do I really have to use beer? Can I substitute something else?
While non-alcoholic beer or soda may seem like good beer substitutes, neither provides the right flavor. The carbonation and yeastiness of beer is integral to the taste and texture of beer bread. Brewed coffee or milk are sometimes used, but the results won’t be quite the same.
Should beer bread be baked in a loaf pan or free-form?
Beer bread bakes up best in a loaf pan which helps contain the batter. Baking free-form runs the risk of spread. Grease and flour your pan well so the bread releases easily.
Can I add extra toppings or mix-ins to the dough?
Absolutely! Mix in herbs, spices, cheese, nuts, or dried fruit before baking. Or sprinkle on seeds, nut butters, jams, or anything you like once it comes out of the oven.
How long does beer bread stay fresh?
Beer bread is best enjoyed within 3 days of baking. To extend the shelf life, store tightly wrapped bread at room temperature up to 4 days. Refrigeration can dry it out faster. Revive stale bread by warming it up.
Conclusion
Beer bread is a simple yet scrumptious quick bread that takes mere minutes to prepare. While delicious on its own, creative toppings can take it to the next level. Brush warm slices with compound butters or herb oils, or decorate the top with cheese, cured meats, or roasted veggies for an easy appetizer. For breakfast or dessert, sweeten it up with chocolate spreads, berries, or whipped cream.
With so many topping possibilities, you could enjoy a different beer bread creation daily and never get bored. The mild beer flavor pairs well with nearly anything. So next time you crack open a cold one, consider pouring some into a bread bowl too. Your taste buds and your guests will thank you.